Humans are killing fireflies.
(And I don’t mean kids who capture the insects in jars without poking holes in the lid.)
Habitat loss, pesticide use, and artificial light are the three most serious threats to lightning bugs, according to a Tufts University-led team of biologists.
The family Lampyridae are actually soft-bodied beetles known for their use of bioluminescence during twilight to attract mates or prey. The widespread and economically important insect group boasts more than 2,000 different species spread across the globe.
But they are being steadily picked off—no thanks to us.
In a recent survey of 350 firefly experts—the results of which were published this week by the journal BioScience—researchers sound a warning bell about the insects’ bleak future.
“Lots of wildlife species are declining because their habitat is shrinking,” explained. “So it wasn’t a huge surprise that habitat loss was considered the biggest threat.”
The team was surprised, however, to find that light pollution is the second most serious hazard for fireflies.
Artificial light at night has grown exponentially during the last century.
And in addition to disrupting natural biorhythms—including our own—light pollution can mess with firefly mating rituals: Bright lights are distracting and confusing to wee bugs looking for bioluminescent love.
Synchronous fireflies in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (via Radim Schreiber)
Add to that the widespread agricultural use of insecticides (particularly in the United States), and fireflies don’t really stand a chance.
“We really need better long-term data about firefly population trends,” Lewis admitted. “This is a place where citizen science efforts like Massachusetts Audubon’s Firefly Watch project can really help.”
Based on these risk factors, researchers can predict which species will be most vulnerable.
The flightless females of the Appalachian blue ghost firefly, for instance, “can’t just pick up and move somewhere else,” study co-author J. Michael Reed, a biology professor at Tufts, said.
Scientists remain optimistic about the arthropods’ future, despite all evidence to the contrary.
“Here in the US, we’re fortunate to have some robust species like the Big Dipper fireflies,” Lewis said. “Those guys can survive pretty much anywhere—and they’re beautiful, too.”
Study authors focus on four primary goals: preserve suitable habitat, control light pollution, reduce insecticide use, and develop guidelines for sustainable tourism.
The benefits of such actions should also have a knock-on effect for other species and ecosystems.
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- UN Report: 1 Million Species Face Extinction Due to Humans
- Australian Rodent Becomes First ‘Climate Change Extinction’
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